Before I became a stay at home mom, I was an early childhood teacher-turned administrator. My interest in working
with children began in my junior year
of high school. I took a
child development course with Mrs. Hogan (my savior) and worked in the preschool
lab within my high school. This time spent learning about children and how to work with them saved me from a
period in my life when I didn't know who I
really was or who I would become?
As we all know, junior year is the time to decide on colleges and maybe what we might
want to be when we grow up. I had no idea who I wanted to be when I grew
up or what I would study
in college??
But after spending those years with Mrs. Hogan and all those adorable
preschoolers, I was hooked. I was going to be an Early Childhood Professional.
Now where does one go to school when they don't want to leave
their mommy?? The nearest school they can go to, that's where. I went to a local
community college first because, truth be
told, my grades were not what you would call outstanding, ah um. I spent
one year studying early childhood development at Norwalk Community College, in
Norwalk, CT. The following year I was accepted to Sacred Heart University (SHU) in Fairfield , CT
However SHU did not have an early childhood program. So I studied Sociology which was
another interest of mine. Then I took any other course relating to children that I could as an elective. During this time, I worked at a local day care center as an assistant
teacher. In those years, I gained invaluable experience and was able to
move up "the ladder" to become a Teacher, Head Teacher, and finally
Assistant Director. Most of my career, I was employed with Bright Horizons Family Solutions. I left in 2003 to stay home with my then first born, who
had just turned one year old. And, well you see, I was also five months pregnant with my second baby! Yikes! Right??
Yes, they
are 15 months apart.
Anyway, it was time for me to spend more time with the family that I felt so blessed to have.
It was the best decision I made. Now, as SAHM, I have found that my knowledge and
experience working with children has helped me tremendously as a mom.
After eight years of being home and caring for my family of five, I
have a desire to learn something new, to get motivated, and to continue to
learn and grow within my field. I found that my interests were leaning toward both Waldorf and Montessori Education. After
much thought, research, and financial considerations, I am currently working on
receiving my Montessori Teaching Degree.
Here are the resources I have come to love as a teacher and refer
to often even today.
Montessori Resources
No comments:
Post a Comment